Backpack having a vertical holding frame and a support cover

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments are directed to a backpack comprising a storage envelope with shoulder straps, a rigid cover covering the top of the envelope, a fixed frame secured to the cover and comprising at least one lower bearing surface, a movable frame that is articulated to the cover or to the fixed frame, with a lower bearing surface and that is able to move between a stowed position and a deployed position, the frames being arranged such that, in the deployed position, the lower bearing surfaces are arranged around the envelope such that the backpack can be placed stably on these lower bearing surfaces, the frames forming the support for the cover.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national phase filing under 35 C.F.R. § 371 of andclaims priority to International Patent Application No.PCT/FR2017/052125, filed on Jul. 21, 2017, which claims the prioritybenefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of French Application No. 1657525, filedon Aug. 3, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in theirentireties by reference.

BACKGROUND

Some embodiments relate to the field of backpacks. More particularly,some embodiments relate to a backpack having a frame that allows it,once placed on the ground, to remain vertical and form a support.

The document US2014/0076942A1 describes a backpack including a framethat is fixed with respect to a storage envelope. This frame includes abase at the bottom and a panel at the top, the rear side of the base andthe rear side of the panel being connected by two struts. The backpackcan thus rest vertically on its base, the panel forming a seat. However,the significant overhang between the panel and the struts, the structureof the base, and the surface delimited between the bars of the base,result in low stability of the assembly and require relatively flatground.

SUMMARY

The technical problem to be solved by some embodiments are thereforethat of improving or enhancing a backpack that makes it possible torealize a support while giving it greater stability, especially in thecase of uneven ground.

To this end, some embodiments are directed to a backpack including:

-   -   a storage envelope having a bottom and a top,    -   shoulder straps at the front of the storage envelope,    -   a rigid cover covering the top of the envelope,    -   a fixed frame that is fastened to the cover and includes at        least one lower bearing surface, known as the fixed lower        bearing surface,    -   a movable frame hinged to the cover or to the fixed frame,        including a lower bearing surface, known as the movable lower        bearing surface, the movable frame being movable between        -   a stowed position against the assembly formed by the storage            envelope, the cover and the fixed frame, and        -   a deployed position in which the movable lower bearing            surface is at a distance from the envelope,            the frames being arranged such that, in the deployed            position, the lower bearing surfaces are arranged around the            storage envelope such that the backpack can be placed in a            balanced manner on these lower bearing surfaces, the frames            forming the support for the cover.

Thus, when the backpack is placed on the ground with the movable framein the deployed position and on the lower bearing surfaces, the areadelimited between the lower bearing surfaces is wider than the bottom ofthe storage envelope, since the movable lower bearing surface is at adistance from this envelope. The backpack is thus more stable andmaintained vertically.

Moreover, by having an area delimited between the wider lower bearingsurfaces, any unevenness of the ground has less impact on the balancedstate of the backpack.

Furthermore, the cover forms a support, for example for setting downobjects, or for sitting down.

Note that the fixed frame is the to be fixed because it is not movablewith respect to the storage envelope.

Some embodiments may optionally have one or more of the followingfeatures:

-   -   the fixed lower bearing surface is situated at the bottom and        the rear of the backpack, and, in the deployed position, the        movable lower bearing surface is situated at the bottom and the        front of the backpack; thus, the movable frame is less bulky        when against the user's back;    -   the frames and the cover are arranged such that the cover forms        a seat when the backpack is placed in a balanced manner on the        lower bearing surfaces; this allows the user to rest by placing        his backpack on the ground and sitting on the cover, without        needing to carry an additional chair;    -   the movable frame is hinged to a front edge of the cover; this        makes it easier to produce the backpack;    -   the fixed frame and the cover form a single one-piece part; this        makes it easier to produce the cover and its support and        improves its strength;    -   the one-piece part may be formed by a shell, this shell having        an upper portion forming the cover and a lower portion forming        the fixed frame, the lower portion covering the rear of the        storage envelope; the shell thus also forms protection for the        rear of the backpack, especially with respect to impacts;    -   the outer surface of the upper portion and the outer surface of        the lower portion are smooth; this allows the user to walk bent        over under branches, allowing the latter to slide over the        shell;    -   the lower portion and/or the upper portion include lateral        returns at least partially covering the sides of the storage        envelope; these returns make it possible to reinforce the upper        portion and/or the lower portion; moreover, this also makes it        possible to spread the branches better to the side when walking        bent over;    -   the cover is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the        bottom of the storage envelope, the cover approaching the bottom        of the storage envelope in a direction from the front to the        rear of this storage envelope; this makes it possible to have a        less inclined cover when the backpack is placed on the ground in        the deployed position; for example, the frames and the cover can        be arranged such that, when the movable frame is in the deployed        position and when the backpack is placed in a balanced state on        the lower bearing surfaces, the cover has a horizontal flat        receiving part, thereby making it easier to sit down or to set        down a measuring instrument or a camera; the receiving part can        represent the greater part of the surface of the cover;    -   the storage envelope includes one or more access openings for        accessing the inside of the storage envelope that are arranged        on at least one of the sides of the storage envelope; this makes        it possible to access the inside of the storage envelope without        separating it from the cover; the cover can be thus be fastened        inseparably to the backpack; this is particularly useful in the        abovementioned case, in which a shell forms the cover and the        fixed frame;    -   the storage envelope has several of the access openings:        -   at least one first access opening being arranged on the            left-hand side of the storage envelope, and        -   at least one second access opening being arranged on the            right-hand side of the storage envelope and opposite the            first access opening;            this makes it possible to access the inside of the storage            envelope across its entire width, simply from one side or            the other;    -   the movable frame is formed by a framework; this is a simple and        robust embodiment;    -   the movable frame is formed by a U-shaped bar with a transverse        portion including the movable lower bearing surface and lateral        ends hinged to the cover or to the fixed frame; this is a simple        embodiment;    -   according to one or the other of the two preceding points, the        backpack can include:        -   catches mounted at the top and bottom of the movable frame,        -   a textile arranged in front of the movable frame and            stretched between these catches, the catches being arranged            between the textile and the movable frame so as to stretch            the textile away from the movable frame;            the catches and the textile allow the user to keep his back            away from the movable frame, thereby improving comfort;    -   the catches mounted at the bottom of the movable frame can be        arranged above and at a distance from the movable lower bearing        surface; this allows the textile not to touch the ground when        the backpack is put down on its lower bearing surfaces;    -   the backpack includes a strap fastened to the front of the        storage envelope at one end and to the movable frame at the        other end, so as to limit the spacing apart of the movable frame        from the storage envelope in the deployed position;    -   the strap is an abdominal strap of the backpack; this limits the        number of straps;    -   a slide is arranged on the storage envelope, the strap passing        through the slide such that, as a result of the strap being        pulled, the latter causes the movable frame to move toward        and/or be clamped against the storage envelope; this makes it        easy to pass from one position to another;    -   according to the preceding point and when the strap is the        abdominal strap, the latter is also connected to at least one        closing fastener of the abdominal strap, the abdominal strap        also being designed to slide with respect to this or these        fasteners, such that by pulling on the abdominal strap, the        latter is tightened around the abdomen at the same time as the        movable frame is clamped against the storage envelope; this        simplifies the hand movements that may be necessary to move the        movable frame from one position to another;    -   the slide is a ring including an annular element and a central        strut connected to this annular element; this is a simple and        strong embodiment of a slide;    -   the strap includes:        -   a first end connected in a sliding manner to a fastener of            the abdominal strap, then        -   a first strap portion passing in one direction through the            ring and between the central strut and the annular element,            then between the central strut and the front of the storage            envelope, and then passing in the other direction through            the ring and between the central strut and the annular            element, then being fastened to the movable frame;            this constitutes one way of producing a mover for moving the            movable frame into the stowed position;    -   according to the preceding point, the first strap portion can        also be doubled by an additional strap portion fastened to the        movable frame on one side and to the strap between the central        strut and the first end on the other side, such that the first        strap portion and the additional strap portion can slide on        either side of the central strut, the fastening of the        additional strap portion to the strap forming a stop; this        limits the amplitude of the spacing apart of the movable frame        from the storage envelope;    -   the annular element is pressed securely against the storage        envelope and the central strut is offset forward with respect to        the annular element; this improves the robustness of the        fastening of the strap, the pressing of the movable frame and        the sliding of the strap;    -   alternatively, the slide is a loop, in particular stitched onto        the storage envelope; this is a very simple embodiment.

In some embodiments, the front of the backpack is the side placedagainst the user's back when wearing the backpack and the rear is theopposite side. The right and the left of the backpack are defined withrespect to this orientation. This orientation is also the verticalorientation of the backpack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of some embodiments will become apparentupon reading the detailed description of the following nonlimitingexamples, for an understanding of which reference will be made to theappended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from the side and front of a backpackaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed subjectmatter, the pack being shown in a vertical position, the movable framebeing in the stowed position;

FIG. 2 shows the backpack according to FIG. 1 but with the movable framein the deployed position;

FIG. 3 shows FIG. 2 but in a side view and with the backpack placedvertically on the ground, in a balanced state;

FIG. 4 shows the backpack from FIG. 3 in a similar view but with accessto the inside of the storage envelope open, the shoulder straps of thebackpack not being shown;

FIG. 5 shows the backpack from FIG. 1 in a perspective view from theside and rear;

FIG. 6 shows the backpack from FIG. 1 but without the shell or thestorage envelope, and in a perspective view slightly from the side andthe rear;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the position of the strap in the deployed position ofthe movable frame, in a perspective view from the rear and a perspectiveview from the front, respectively;

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the position of the strap in the stowed position ofthe movable frame, in a perspective view from the rear and a perspectiveview from the front, respectively;

FIG. 11 shows an example of a slide of the backpack from FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the slide from FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows a side view of the shell of the backpack from FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 shows the hinging of the movable frame to the shell of thebackpack from FIG. 1;

FIGS. 15 to 19 correspond to FIGS. 6 to 10 but according to a variantembodiment;

FIG. 20 shows a backpack according to another exemplary embodiment butwithout the storage envelope or the shoulder straps, and in aperspective view slightly from the side and the front, the movable framebeing stowed;

FIG. 21 shows the backpack from FIG. 20 but without the shell or thestorage envelope or the shoulder straps, and in a perspective viewslightly from the side and the rear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a backpack 1 according to thepresently disclosed subject matter.

The backpack includes a storage envelope 2, which forms the envelopethat separates the outside of the backpack 1 from its inside, therebydefining a storage volume inside which various objects can be stored.

The backpack 1 includes shoulder straps 6 attached at one end to the topof the backpack and at the other end to the bottom of the latter, so asto allow a user to carry the backpack on his back, the shoulder straps 6passing over his shoulders.

The backpack 1 may also include, as illustrated here, an abdominal beltthat is designed to be closed around the user's waist and includes atleast one closing strap 5.

The backpack 1 illustrated includes a shell 3. This shell 3 includes anupper portion forming a rigid cover 30, which forms protection for thetop of the storage envelope 2.

In the example illustrated, the cover 30 covers the entire top of thestorage envelope 2 and includes a generally flat surface.

This shell 3 also includes a lower portion, which forms protection forthe rear of the storage envelope 2.

The shell 3 is fastened immovably to the storage envelope 2. The lowerportion 31 is thus fixed with respect to the assembly of the storageenvelope 2 and the cover 30. This lower portion thus also forms a fixedframe 31.

According to some embodiments, the shell 3 can be fastened to theenvelope 2 so as not to be removable, for example by bonding, riveting,thermowelding or further techniques. Alternatively, the shell 3 can befastened to the envelope 2 so as to be removable, for example bytouch-and-close tapes, press studs, or clip-fasteners.

The backpack 1 also includes a movable frame 4 hinged to the cover 30,in this example to the front edge 33 of the cover 30, as can be seen inFIG. 13.

This movable frame 4 is formed, in this example, by a framework situatedon the front of the storage envelope 2. Therefore, when the user carriesthe backpack 1 on his back, this framework 4 is situated between hisback and the storage envelope 2.

To improve the comfort of wearing the backpack 1, the framework 4 caninclude a stretched textile 41, also referred to as a stretched back 41,that is intended to come into contact with the user's back. Thisstretched back can be formed for example by netting.

The storage envelope 2 includes a bottom 21. When the backpack 1 isplaced vertically on the ground S, as illustrated in FIG. 3, this bottom21 is in contact with the ground S.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the movable frame 4 opens to a certain angle.

According to some embodiments, the movable frame 4 is able to move froma stowed position, particularly against the storage envelope 2, asillustrated in FIG. 1, to a deployed position, illustrated in FIG. 2.

In particular, in the example illustrated, by virtue of its hinging, themovable frame passes from its stowed position against the front wall 23of the storage envelope 2 to the deployed position, by being spacedapart from this front wall 23, for example by being rotated about anaxis situated at the top of the storage envelope 2.

The deployed position allows better stability of the backpack 1 whenplaced in a vertical position on the ground S, as for example in FIG. 3.

The movable frame 4 has a lower bearing surface 42, known as the movablelower bearing surface 42, intended to come into contact with the groundS when the backpack is placed vertically on the ground S. Similarly, theshell 3, and thus the fixed frame 31 formed by the lower portion of thisshell 3, includes a lower bearing surface 32, known as the fixed lowerbearing surface 32, which is intended to be in contact with the ground Swhen the backpack is placed vertically.

Thus, when the backpack is placed vertically on the ground, with themovable frame 4 in the deployed position, the backpack 1 is maintainedvertically and in a balanced state by its movable frame 4 and the fixedframe 31. This balanced state is stabilized by the supports on the lowerbearing surfaces 42 and 32. When the movable frame 4 is in the deployedposition, the movable lower bearing surface 42 is situated away from thestorage envelope 2, thereby increasing the stability of the backpack 1.

The lower bearing surfaces 32, 42 are distributed around the bottom 21of the storage envelope and, between one another, define an area greaterthan that of the bottom 21 of the storage envelope 2, thereby improvingstability.

Moreover, in some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matterin which the fixed frame 31 is formed by a shell 3, for example asillustrated, this shell can be in the form of a plate, in particular anonflat plate, the edge face of this plate forming the fixed lowerbearing surface 32.

Similarly, when the movable frame is realized as a framework 4, it isthe lower strut of the framework 4 which can directly form the movablelower bearing surface 42.

By being formed by an edge face and a strut of the framework, the lowerbearing surfaces 42, 32 can adapt more easily to various irregularitiesof the ground that may be situated between these lower bearing surfaces.

The bottom 21 adapts to the ground S.

Once the backpack 1 has been placed vertically on the ground S, thepanel formed by the outer surface 35 of the cover 30 can serve as asupport for various objects and also serve as a seat for the user of thebackpack. In such a case, the weight is transferred directly to theframes 4, 31, then is transferred to the ground S by the lower bearingsurfaces 42, 32.

The backpack according to some embodiments, and in particular accordingto the example illustrated, is thus particularly suitable for hikes,particularly in hilly areas. In particular, it is suitable forprofessionals who work outdoors, such as paleontologists, entomologists,primatologists, geologists, etc. These professionals have to travelunder the best or better conditions to research sites that areparticularly difficult to access, while also transporting fragileequipment.

Generally, in cases in which the fixed frame 31 and the cover 30 areformed by a rigid shell 3, the latter makes it possible to protect thesensitive material stored inside the storage envelope 2, and if desiredin this embodiment to move around in dense vegetation, limiting the riskof the backpack getting caught on plants. This shell 3 is also able toform a seat for the researcher, this shell 3 and the movable frameforming a seat, in particular once at the work site. This shell 3 canalso serve as support for various devices, such as a camera, a laptopcomputer, a GPS antenna.

In particular in the example illustrated, the shell 3 and the movableframe are arranged in such a way that, in the deployed position, thecover 30 is horizontal when the backpack 1 is positioned onapproximately horizontal ground.

The stretched back 41 improves walking comfort.

Moreover, the outer surface 35 of the shell 3 can be smooth in order toreduce the risk of catching on plants.

In order to make this sliding easier, the backpack 1 can include, asillustrated in FIG. 5, a curve 37 connecting the cover 30 and the fixedframe 31. This curve 37 forms a transition between the cover 30 and thefixed frame 31. In particular, the curve 37 allows sliding when the usermoves along bent over, the branches first of all sliding over the cover30 and then along the fixed frame 31.

The shell 3 may also include lateral returns 38, 39. These lateralreturns 38, 39 are in this example portions of the cover 30 and of thefixed frame 31 and are inclined slightly downward for the cover 30 andinclined slightly forward for the fixed frame 31. These lateral returnsimprove the sliding of branches over the shell, without catching on thesides of the storage envelope 2.

The lateral returns 39 of the lower portion 31 also confer on the fixedlower bearing surface 32 the shape of an edge face that is curved or hassegments forming an angle between one another. These lateral returns 39thus generally surround the rear of the storage envelope 2, therebyfurther improving the stability of the support on the fixed lowerbearing surface 32.

According to some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, thetransition between the lateral returns 39 of the lower portion 31 andthe rest of the shell 3 can form a rib 36, making it possible to furtherreinforce the shell 3, and thus also to reinforce the support of thecover 30 when the backpack 1 is in a vertical position on the ground S.

In FIG. 5, given the orientation of the backpack 1, only the lateralreturns 38 and 39 of the cover and of the lower portion 31 that aresituated on the left are visible. However, the same type of lateralreturns may be present on the right-hand side of the storage envelope 2.

The shell 3 can have, as in this example, a vertical plane of symmetrythat is oriented from front to rear.

The shell 3 forms a single one-piece part, which is easier to producebut also makes it possible to protect the entire top and rear of thebackpack. To this end, it can also have a shape allowing it to match thevolume that the storage envelope 2 can have once full. The back and/orthe top of the storage envelope 2 can also be pressed against the shell3, in particular by bonding.

However, according to further embodiments that are not shown, the coverand the fixed frame can be produced in separate parts.

According to further embodiments that are not shown, it is possible forthe fixed frame not to form a plate entirely covering the back of thestorage envelope. The fixed frame can include two rear legs, leaving anopening at the rear between these two legs, in order to provide accessto the rear of the storage envelope.

According to some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, thestorage envelope 2 can include flaps 24 for closing the sides of thestorage envelope 2. These 24 flaps open, as illustrated in FIG. 4 inorder to provide access to two access openings 25, 26 for accessing theinside of the storage envelope.

In this example, the openings are a left-hand access opening 25 and aright-hand access opening 26 arranged opposite one another, such thatwhen the flaps 24 are open on both sides, the backpack 1 is open all theway through from the left-hand access opening 25 to the right-handaccess opening 26. This makes it possible to access all of the inside ofthe storage envelope 2 through the sides.

This makes it possible to rapidly access the contents of the backpack 1while walking, but also when it is placed on the ground.

This is all the more advantageous in the case of the exampleillustrated, in which the shell 3 completely covers the top and rear ofthe storage envelope 2.

The backpack 1 may also include partitions, which are fixed orremovable, in particular by way of touch-and-close tapes, so as todivide the inside of the storage envelope 2 into compartments.

Thus, in the example illustrated in FIG. 4, horizontal partitions 28 arearranged so as to form three compartments inside the storage envelope 2,each of these compartments being accessible from both sides of thebackpack.

The flap(s) 24 can allow access to all of the compartments, asillustrated in FIG. 4.

The number of partitions is not limiting.

Division into compartments by way of horizontal partitions 28,regardless of the number thereof, allows the backpack to form a rackonce placed on the ground. It makes it easier to access the contents andto store them, in particular during professional expeditions. In orderto improve this function, the horizontal partitions 28 can be rigid. Forexample, they may include a rigid core surrounded by a flexiblematerial, such as a foam glued to this core, in order to protect thefragile materials.

The lowest horizontal partition 28 can be arranged at a distance fromthe bottom 21, the access opening(s) 25, 26 being level with or abovethis horizontal partition. Thus, the storage envelope 2 does not have anaccess point between this partition and the bottom 21. This makes itpossible to protect objects from impacts, especially when the backpackis set down.

The flaps 24 may include flaplets 27 that open through one of theseflaps 24 in order to access individual compartments.

In an embodiment that is not shown, the storage envelope may include aflap only on one side of the storage envelope.

The storage envelope 2 may also include a vertical partition, not shown,that extends from right to left behind the front wall 23 of the storageenvelope 2, for example in order to form a storage compartment for alaptop computer.

In general, the inside of the storage envelope 2 can be covered with apadded lining made in particular of foam.

According to embodiments that are not shown, instead of a flap, thereare simply flaplets that open into each of the individual compartments.

The flaplets 27 and/or the flaps 24 can be opened using a zip fastener.

According to some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, in order toimprove the user's comfort, the backpack 1 includes an upper catch 44and a lower catch 47, which are situated at the top and the bottom ofthe framework 4, respectively. The textile of the stretched back 41 isfastened between the upper catch 44 and the lower catch 47 so as to bestretched away from the framework 4.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the upper catch 44 and/or the lower catch caneach be formed by a plate 45, 48 that is directly fixed to the framework4 by screwing or riveting. Fastened to each plate 45, 48 is a pad 46,49. The catches 44, 47 protrude laterally beyond each side of theframework 4 with their plates 45, 48 and their pads 46, 49. This givesthe stretched back 41 a certain width. As here, the lower catch 47 canbe wider than the upper catch 44, giving the stretched back 41 a flaredshape that widens toward the bottom.

For example, and as here, the stretched back can cover the pads 46, 49in front of the latter, in order to stretch the textile away from theframework 4.

According to some embodiments, and as illustrated, the shoulder straps 6can be formed by a single part, which may have in its center anattachment 61, in this case a textile tongue 61, intended to be fastenedto the rear of the stretched back 41 in order to improve comfort. Inparticular, it can be stitched to the stretched back 41 and/or to thepad 46 of the upper catch 44. These shoulder straps can also be attachedat the bottom to the storage envelope 2.

The arrangement of the abdominal belt and the hinge of the movable frame4 will now be described in detail.

According to some embodiments, and in particular in the exampleillustrated, this belt makes it possible not only to keep the backpackon the user at their abdomen but also to limit the opening angle of themovable frame 4 with respect to the front wall 23 of the storageenvelope 2.

According to some embodiments, in particular as illustrated in FIG. 14,this hinge can be formed by a sheet-metal plate 43 shaped into a troughshape. The tops of this trough include curved edges that are fastened tothe front edge 33 of the cover 30 and under the latter, in particular byscrewing, riveting or bonding, preferably by riveting. A horizontalupper strut of the framework 4 is accommodated in the trough between thebottom of this trough and the cover 30. This horizontal upper strut iscylindrical, with an approximately circular cross section, and thuspivots about an axis parallel to its length inside the trough. In thisway, a simple hinge of this framework 4 with respect to the cover 30 isformed. The framework 4 can, as here, be formed entirely of tubularparts.

Here, the belt includes an abdominal strap 5 that forms the right-handside of the abdominal belt at one of its ends and the left-hand side atthe other end.

In another embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter that isnot shown, the abdominal belt could include a right-hand abdominal strapand a left-hand abdominal strap.

Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 6, the abdominal strap 5 includes a firstend 50 connected to a first closing fastener, in this case a fasteningbuckle 7. The abdominal strap 5 then passes into an abdominal pad 11such that, when the abdominal strap 5 is fastened, the latter comes intocontact with the user's stomach, then passes through a slide 8 fastenedto the front wall 23 of the storage envelope 2, then passes around theframework 4, passes again through a slide 8, which is also fastened tothe front wall 23 of the storage envelope 2, then passes again throughan abdominal pad 11 and ends at a second end 59, which is not visible inFIG. 6 but is visible in FIG. 1. This second end directly forms aclosing fastener that is fastened and clamped by sliding in thefastening buckle 7.

According to embodiments that are not shown, each end of the abdominalstrap can be connected to a fastening buckle, the buckles being fastenedto one another, at least one of the ends being able to slide withrespect to the buckle that it carries in order to tighten the abdominalbelt.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the slide 8 is a ring including anannular element 80 and a central strut 81, extending parallel to thestraight parts of the annular element and situated roughly midwaybetween each of the straight parts of this annular element 80. However,as can be seen in FIG. 12, which corresponds to a cross section of thisslide 8 in a plane perpendicular to the central strut 81, the centralstrut 81 is offset forward or downward in FIG. 12.

In some embodiments the annular element 80 may include a flat rear face83 which is pressed against the front wall 23 of the storage envelope 2.This rear face 83 is in contact with the storage envelope 2, the offsetof the central strut 81 allowing the strap to slide more easily betweenthe storage envelope 2 and this central strut 81, as can be seen inFIGS. 6 to 10.

The annular element 80 can be fastened to the storage envelope 2 bystuds 82 extending from this rear face 83. These studs 82 can be pressedinto the front wall 23 of the storage envelope by thermowelding and/orhot riveting. In particular, the ring 8 and the front wall 23 of thestorage envelope 2 can be made of thermoplastic polymer(s).

For example, this front wall 23 can be formed of one or more polymerfabrics or a textile formed by a fabric, such as polyethylene (PE)coated and/or impregnated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

The slide 8 can be formed from polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS), or a mixture of both.

On each side of the framework 4, the abdominal strap 5 includes a firstportion 51 that is defined between the fastening of the abdominal strap5 to the framework 4 and a stop 53. The abdominal strap 5 includes asecond portion 52 that extends from this stop 53 and the correspondingend 50, 59 of the abdominal strap 5, and which therefore passes throughopenings in the corresponding stomach pad 11.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the first portion 51 of the abdominal strap 5passes in front of a first lateral straight part of the annular element80, then passes in one direction through the ring between the centralstrut 81 and the annular element 80, then between the central strut 81and the front wall 23 of the storage envelope 2, then passes in theother direction through the ring and between the central strut 81 andthe annular element 80, then reaches the framework 4 to which it isfastened, in this example by being clamped between the plate 48 of thelower catch 47 and the framework 4.

According to some embodiments, and as illustrated, the backpack 1 mayinclude an additional portion of strap 55, which is separate from theabdominal strap 5 and arranged between the abdominal strap 5 and plate48 of the lower catch 47. For example, rivets can pass through the plate48, the additional portion of strap 55, the abdominal strap 5 at theframework 4, and the lateral struts of the framework 4 itself.

The ends of this additional portion of strap 55 can be stitched to thestrap 5 on either side of the framework 4. FIG. 8 shows one of the ends54 of the additional portion of strap 55 pressed against the abdominalstrap 5 and stitched thereto. In this example, the stitching thus formsthe stop 53.

This end 54 of the additional portion of strap 55 is stitched in such away that the central strut 81 is accommodated between the first portion51 of the abdominal strap 5 and this additional portion of strap 55.

As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the movable frame 4 is in thestowed position, the first portion 51 of the abdominal strap 5 isdistributed on either side of the central strut 81 of the ring 8, theabdominal strap 5 being tight. When the user undoes the closingfasteners 7, 59, he can loosen this strap 5 by spacing apart theframework 4 from the front wall 23 of the storage envelope 2, the firstportion 51 of abdominal strap 5 slides between the annular element 80and the central strut 81 until the stitching 53 reaches the centralstrut 81, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. At that time, the stitching53 forms a stop, which limits the angular opening of the movable frame4.

Conversely, tightening the abdominal strap 5 makes it possible to stowthe movable frame 4 against the storage envelope 2 again. When theabdominal strap 5 slides in the opposite direction between the centralstrut 81 and the annular element 80, the stitching 53 moves away fromthe central strut 81, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

As a result, the abdominal strap 5 has a double function: tightening thestorage envelope 2 around the user's waist and stowing the movable frame4. There is therefore a need for a single hand movement for these twofunctions. This is particularly useful in dirty, in particular muddyenvironments. Specifically, limiting the number of hand movementsreduces the soiling of the backpack.

In another embodiment that is not shown, the hinge of the movable framecan include an elastic element designed such that the passage from thedeployed position to the stowed position increases the stress thereon.As a result, it exerts a restoring force to the deployed position on themovable frame. Thus, all that is desired in this embodiment is to loosenthe abdominal strap in order for the movable frame to move into thedeployed position. Therefore, there is one fewer hand movement. Thiselastic element may be for example a torsion spring, notably with thecoils wrapped around the upper strut of the framework, one of the endsof the spring being fastened to the framework and the other to theshell.

According to some embodiments, in order to reduce the risk of soiling ofthe stretched back 41, the lower catch 47 can be arranged above and at adistance from the movable lower bearing surface 42, as can be seen inFIGS. 3 and 6. For example, this distance may be between 20 and 50millimeters (mm), in particular 40 millimeters.

Likewise, the stomach pads 11 can be stitched at a distance from thebottom 21, in order to avoid touching the ground S.

Moreover, the framework 4, the shell 3, the stretched back 41 and thefront wall 23 of the storage envelope 2 can be arranged such that, inthe stowed position, the bottom 21 and the bottom of the framework 4 areat a distance from the stretched back 41. This allows areas that are incontact with the ground when the backpack 1 is set down to come incontact with the walker's back when he carries the backpack 1 again.

According to some embodiments, and as illustrated, in order to avoidsoiling, the flap 24 can be arranged, as here, at a distance from thebottom 21. It can be designed to open around its entire perimeter,except for an upper portion which forms a hinge. For example, in FIG. 4,the zip fastener starts at the very top of the flap 24 and at the front,descends toward the rear, goes around the access opening 25, 26, andthen goes up to the top again, ending at a distance from its startingpoint, for example about halfway up the edge of the corresponding accessopening 25, 26.

The backpack 1 may include a removable accessory (not shown), formed bya plate including on one side clip-fasteners, such as studs, designed tobe clip-fastened around the lower strut of the framework 4. In thiscase, it is possible to clip-fasten this accessory in order to increasethe area of contact of the movable frame 4 with the ground, thispossibly being useful on soft, notably muddy terrain.

In addition, the bottom 21 can be reinforced, in particular lined with awaterproof layer, for example a textile coated with at least onepolymer. This makes it possible to easily clean this bottom 21.

In general, the entire storage envelope, or even the backpack as awhole, can be made of materials that are able to be wetted, or evenwashed with a water jet.

Of course, the embodiment illustrated is not limiting in terms of itsdimensions.

However, by way of example, a few dimensions that are applicable, inparticular to the exemplary embodiment illustrated, as shown in FIG. 13,may be mentioned.

For example, in order to form a good seat for the user of the backpack1, the length L1 between the lower bearing surfaces 32 and 42 may be 357mm for a flat surface level with the cover 30 having a length of 200 mm.This makes it possible to improve the stability on the ground by virtueof the difference between these two lengths L1 and L2.

The movable frame 4 may have a length L3, from its hinge to the movablelower bearing surface 42, of 405 mm. The opening angle β of the movableframe 4 in the deployed position may be 100°.

The height of the shell 3, measured from the outer surface 35 of itscover 30 to the fixed lower bearing surface 32, may be 400 mm. Thisallows a comfortable seat.

The curve 37 of the shell 3 can be designed such that a curve angle α isdefined between a plane that includes the flat surface of the cover 30and a plane passing through the part of the outer surface of the lowerportion 31 of the shell 3, this part being situated between theleft-hand and right-hand lateral returns. The shape of the curve 37 fromone of the planes to the other is continuous and regular. The curveangle may be 95°.

According to some embodiments, the cover 30 and/or the fixed frame 31,or the shell 3, can be made of a material selected from: aluminum, apolycarbonate (PC), a polypropylene filled with glass fibers or polymermaterial, ABS or PP.

For example, in the case of PC and filled PP, the shell 3 can beobtained by thermoforming. In the case of ABS and PP, it can be obtainedby injection-molding.

More particularly, according to some embodiments, the shell 3 can bemade of PC and/or have a thickness of between 3 and 8 millimeters (mm),in particular 4 mm.

The abdominal strap can be made for example of nylon or textile fiber.

FIGS. 15 to 19 illustrate a variant embodiment that differs from thebackpack in FIGS. 1 to 14 by way of its slide 108. Since the otherelements are unchanged, their references are retained and only thedifferences are described below.

According to this variant, the slide 108 is formed by a simple fabricloop. The loop includes a rear side 180 and a front side 181.

The rear face 183 of the rear side 180 is flat and pressed against thefront wall 23 of the storage envelope 2. In particular, the rear side180 can be stitched to the storage envelope 2.

The slide 8 can be formed from the same material as that of the strap.

As in the preceding variant, the first portion 51 of the abdominal strap5 is defined between the fastening of the abdominal strap 5 to theframework 4 and the stop 53. However, in this case, this first portion51 passes between the front face of the rear side 180 and the front side181.

The second portion 52 of the abdominal strap 5 extends, here too, fromthe stop 53 to the corresponding end of the abdominal strap 5.

In this variant, too, the backpack can include an additional portion ofstrap 55. FIG. 17 shows one of the ends 54 of the additional portion ofstrap 55 pressed against the abdominal strap 5 and stitched thereto. Inthis example, the stitching thus forms the stop 53.

Here, this end 54 of the additional portion of strap 55 is stitched insuch a way that the front side 181 is accommodated between the firstportion 51 of the abdominal strap 5 and this additional portion of strap55.

Thus, when the user loosens this strap 5 by spacing apart the framework4 from the front wall 23 of the storage envelope 2, the first portion 51of abdominal strap 5 slides in the slide 8, between the rear side 180and the front side 181, until the stitching 53 reaches the front side181, as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17.

Conversely, tightening the abdominal strap 5 makes it possible to stowthe movable frame 4 against the storage envelope 2 again. The abdominalstrap 5 then slides in the opposite direction, between the front side181 and the rear side 180, the stitching 53 moving away from the frontside 181, as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a backpackaccording to the presently disclosed subject matter, this example havingseveral additional variants. However, these variants can be appliedindependently of one another to the backpack according to someembodiments. The storage envelope 2 is not shown since it can beidentical to that of the previous example.

The differences of these variants mainly relate to the movable frame204, in particular its fastening to the shell 203 and to the stretchedback 241.

Thus, FIG. 20 illustrates second, third and fourth variants.

According to the second variant, the movable frame is formed by aU-shaped bar 204. Thus, it includes a transverse part connecting thebottom ends of two lateral portions 204 a and 204 b of this U-shapedbar.

The top ends of these lateral portions 204 a and 204 b are hinged to thefront edge 233 of the shell 203. For example, two forked brackets 243can be fastened to this front edge 233, on each side of the cover 230,in particular by screwing or riveting. The fork of each of thesebrackets 243 carries a pivot pin passing through the top end of thecorresponding lateral portion 204 a, 204 b of the U-shaped bar from oneside to the other.

According to the third variant, the bearing surface 242 can be coveredwith a layer 242′ of PVC, in order to protect the bottom of the movableframe from moisture, in particular mud. This layer 242′ can extend overpart of the height of the movable frame 204.

Similarly, according to the fourth variant, the bottom of the lowerportion of the shell 203 may be fitted and/or bonded in a stiffener 233.This stiffener 233 may, as illustrated, be formed by a bar with aU-shaped cross section and have a shape complementary to the lower edgeof the shell 203. The lower face of this stiffener 233 thus forms thefixed lower bearing surface 232 of the fixed frame 231. This bar may beformed from a metal sheet. For example, it can have a length of about330 mm.

FIG. 21 illustrates fifth and sixth variants.

According to the fifth variant, the upper and/or lower catch of thestretched back 241 at the top and/or bottom of the movable frame 204,respectively, can include an upper catch strap 245 b and/or a lowercatch strap 248 b, respectively. Each catch strap 245 b, 248 b isfastened to the rear of a corresponding pad, namely a top pad 246 or abottom pad 249, so as to clamp the top of the movable frame 204 betweenthe corresponding pad 246, 249 and the corresponding catch strap 245 b,248 b.

The upper and/or lower catch may also include a spacer 245 a, 248 a.This spacer 245 a, 248 a has a width and a length allowing it to createhousings 245 d, 248 d for the lateral portions 204 a, 204 b of themovable frame 204 on each side of the corresponding spacer 245 a, 248 a.This type of housing 245 d, 248 d can also be used for the lateral barsof the framework 4 of the example illustrated in FIG. 6 or 15.

The spacer 245 a, 248 a can be formed by a pouch, the sides of which arestitched to form a spacer between the pad 246, 249 and the catch strap245 b, 248 b.

The upper catch strap 245 b can be stitched directly to the top pad 246.The spacer 245 a may include a tab 245 c protruding beyond the rear ofthe catch strap 245 b. The shoulder straps may be fastened to this tab245 c. For example, the shoulder straps can include a textile tonguesuch as the one 61 in FIG. 6, this tongue being fastened directly to thetab 245 c, for example by press studs 245 e.

The lower catch strap 248 b can be stitched to an abdominal strap 205,itself stitched to an additional portion of strap 255, itself stitchedto the bottom pad 249. These straps 248 b, 205, this portion of strap255 and this bottom pad 249 can be stitched together by one and the sameseam.

The additional portion of strap 255 is arranged with the abdominal strap205 in the same way as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 19, andmay engage with a slide, such as the slides 8 or 108 in FIGS. 11 and 12or 16 to 19.

According to some embodiments, in order to be more resistant, the strapsand/or the spacers can be made of textile covered, coated or impregnatedwith polymer, for example a PE textile coated with PVC.

The shoulder straps can also include an outer layer made of thesematerials.

The pads may include casings formed of the same materials and containinga foam. They may include a reinforcement plate bearing against themovable frame.

The bottom of the storage envelope can also be reinforced by strapsstitched on the inside or outside.

Generally, the movable frame can be made of steel.

1. A backpack, comprising: a storage envelope having a bottom and a top,shoulder straps at the front of the storage envelope, a rigid covercovering the top of the storage envelope, a fixed frame that is fastenedto the cover and comprises at least one lower bearing surface, known asthe fixed lower bearing surface, a movable frame hinged to the cover orto the fixed frame, comprising a lower bearing surface, known as themovable lower bearing surface, the movable frame being movable between astowed position against the assembly formed by the storage envelope, thecover and the fixed frame, and a deployed position in which the movablelower bearing surface is at a distance from the envelope, wherein theframes being arranged such that, in the deployed position, the lowerbearing surfaces are arranged around the storage envelope such that thebackpack can be placed in a balanced manner on these lower bearingsurfaces, the frames forming the support for the cover.
 2. The backpackaccording to claim 1, wherein the fixed lower bearing surface issituated at the bottom and the rear of the backpack, and wherein, in thedeployed position, the movable lower bearing surface is situated at thebottom and the front of the backpack.
 3. The backpack according to claim1, wherein the frames and the cover are arranged such that the coverforms a seat when the backpack is placed in a balanced manner on thelower bearing surfaces.
 4. The backpack according to claim 1, whereinthe movable frame is hinged to a front edge of the cover.
 5. Thebackpack according to claim 1, wherein the fixed frame and the coverform a single one-piece part forming a shell, this shell having an upperportion forming the cover and a lower portion forming the fixed frame,the lower portion covering the rear of the storage envelope.
 6. Thebackpack according to claim 5, wherein the outer surface of the upperportion and the outer surface of the lower portion are smooth.
 7. Thebackpack according to claim 1, wherein the cover is arranged so as to beinclined with respect to the bottom of the storage envelope, the coverapproaching the bottom of the storage envelope in a direction from thefront to the rear of this storage envelope.
 8. The backpack according toclaim 1, wherein the storage envelope further includes one or moreaccess openings for accessing the inside of the storage envelope thatare arranged on at least one of the sides of the storage envelope. 9.The backpack according to claim 8, wherein the storage envelope hasseveral of the access openings: at least one first access opening beingarranged on the left-hand side of the storage envelope, and at least onesecond access opening being arranged on the right-hand side of thestorage envelope and opposite the first access opening.
 10. The backpackaccording to claim 1, wherein the movable frame is formed by a frameworkor a U-shaped bar with a transverse portion comprising the movable lowerbearing surface and lateral ends hinged to the cover or to the fixedframe, the backpack comprising: catches mounted at the top and bottom ofthe movable frame, a textile arranged in front of the movable frame andstretched between these catches, the catches being arranged between thetextile and the movable frame so as to stretch the textile away from themovable frame.
 11. The backpack according to claim 1, further includinga strap fastened to the front of the storage envelope at one end and tothe movable frame at the other end, so as to limit the spacing apart ofthe movable frame from the storage envelope in the deployed position.12. The backpack according to claim 11, wherein the strap is anabdominal strap of the backpack.
 13. The backpack according to claim 11,wherein a slide is arranged on the storage envelope, the strap passingthrough the slide such that, as a result of the strap being pulled, thelatter causes the movable frame to move toward and/or be clamped againstthe storage envelope.
 14. The backpack according to claim 13, whereinthe abdominal strap is also connected to closing fasteners of theabdominal strap, the abdominal strap also being designed to slide withrespect to these fasteners, such that by pulling on the abdominal strap,the latter is tightened around the abdomen at the same time as themovable frame is clamped against the storage envelope.